SwiftVets.com

[Mary Ann Parker]

Just an update folks. It is still confusing to me what position
will ultimately prevail at Sinclair.
However, I am starting to be encouraged that MSM is now
paying attention to Americans who demand a FREE and
unencumbered press.
Special interests have been so blatant they have to accept
that it will only make it "short term".
Information technology keeps a crack in the door to discern
truth.
Please do not give up even one e-mail or fax or call that will
make a difference.
If we keep the faith we may not change them significantly, but
at least they won't change us.

Make it a joyful day.
Mary Ann Parker



With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff
For the story behind the story...
Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 11:01 p.m. EDT

Sinclair Thanks NY Times

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/10/22/230437.shtml

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which has been vilified in many places regarding its decision to air a special one-hour news program, entitled "A POW Story: Politics, Pressure and the Media," was gratified to read an article published by the New York Times newspaper on Thursday, October 21, 2004, advocating the broadcast of the documentary, "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal."

The company issued a press release Friday noting that this the third news special of 2004.

"Stolen Honor" will be discussed in the Sinclair news special, but it was erroneous news reports indicating that Sinclair intended to broadcast the documentary in its entirety which set off a recent controversy.

In an Article entitled "An Outpouring of Pain, Channeled Via Politics," New York Times television reviewer Alessandra Stanley opines that it is "too bad" that Sinclair is not airing the entire documentary.

In fact, although Ms. Stanley's review of the film is far from completely positive, she nonetheless expresses the view that "Stolen Honor" should not be shown by Sinclair, but rather "should be shown in its entirety on all the networks, cable stations and on public television."

Sinclair is pleased to note that the New York Times, which has generally been very negative about Sinclair's plans in regard to this documentary, employs at least one writer who continues to understand the importance of free speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Further, an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal ("Sinclair and Watergate") commented unfavorably on the attempts to influence the press through a variety of pressure tactics, including threatened shareholder litigation.

While Sinclair, a staunch believer in the First Amendment, appreciates the sentiment of the Journal's editorial stance, we take exception with the inference that our failure to broadcast "Stolen Honor" in its entirety resulted from our having "bent under enormous political pressure."

In fact, as noted in a separate article also in today's Wall Street Journal, "Political Shows Prove Costly to Sinclair CEO," Sinclair had never confirmed reports that it was planning to air the entire documentary and actually posted a message on its corporate website stating, "The program has not been videotaped and the exact format of this unscripted event has not been finalized. Characterizations regarding the content are premature and are based on ill-informed sources."

Sinclair's "A POW Story" aire Friday night and included not only interviews with the creator and some of the former POWs featured in the "Stolen Honor" documentary, but also interviews with Richard Klass, President of the Veterans Institute for Security and Democracy, an organization which has filed against Sinclair at the Federal Communications Commission, George Butler, the director of the documentary "Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry," considered a very favorable presentation of Senator Kerry's war record, and Bobby Muller, a Vietnam war veteran who the Kerry campaign recommended Sinclair include in its news special.

Editor's note

[ChaplainJeff]

Hey, Ann Parker,
I am really concern here. Could Sinclair turn on us and go the other way???? Sounds strange that they are caving in on opinions and adding anti-Bush people to the list.
_________________
His face looks like the south end of a north bound mule

[msindependent]

Sinclair did his damage, he can go crawl under a rock now.

[ThanksVets]

[Mary Ann Parker]

10/22/2004 10:20 PM
Sinclair Airs Anti-Kerry Material



BALTIMORE (AP) -- Sinclair Broadcast's program featuring
material from a documentary critical of John Kerry aired Friday
night, devoting as much coverage to the controversy as the film that
sparked the uproar.
The program contained a few minutes from the documentary,
"Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," as well as excerpts from a
pro-Kerry documentary, interviews with veterans who support and
oppose Kerry, and a segment on the impact of new media such as the
Internet on politics.
A history of the controversy that erupted following reports
of the upcoming program was also given, including assessments such
as "before anything had been decided, spin alley had become a
superhighway."
On Tuesday, the company -- whose executives are Republican
contributors -- announced the program would appear on 40 stations and
would feature parts, but not all, of "Stolen Honor," which consists
of interviews with U.S. prisoners of war who survived imprisonment
in Hanoi and remain enraged at Kerry for joining the anti-war
movement after he completed his Vietnam service.
The announcement came after critics and shareholders
protested following reports that the program would air on all 62 of
Sinclair's stations.
Kerry did not appear in the program, but comments he made on
the issue on the campaign trail were presented. The Kerry campaign
issued a statement afterward saying Sinclair executives have given
more than $100,000 to George W. Bush and the Republican Party.
"Tonight they supported him with millions of dollars of air
time devoted to an anti-Kerry smear aimed at influencing the
election," a Kerry spokesman said.
"Sinclair's shameful actions can't obscure the plain truth --
John Kerry was a war hero who was decorated for bravery," the
statement said.
At the end of the program, a statement was scrolled on the
screen asking viewers to let the Federal Communications Commission
know if they agree with Sinclair's decision to broadcast the show.
The advance attention did not attract advertisers.
On Baltimore's WBFF, the program had only two sponsors, a
local furniture store and a group dedicated to "personal
responsibility and protecting consumer choice."
In Richmond, Va., a car dealer and the same group were the
only advertisers, with the rest of the spots filled by promos for
network shows and news programs.
Protests continued up to air time.
In Washington, about 60 protesters gathered in front of the
White House. They carried a mock check for $9.9 million, the
estimated value of the airtime being used for the program, said
Andrea Lehman, a spokeswoman for the group.
In Charleston, W.Va., about 100 people gathered in the
parking lot of Sinclair-affiliate WCHS-TV, carrying banners bearing
the names of soldiers killed in Iraq, Kerry campaign material and an
inflatable 13-foot rat with a "Sinclair Broadcast" sign tied around
its neck.
****************************************88

I am going to cling to the belief that the whole film will get out before
the election.
I just heard on FoxNews that Sherwood has offered to license it for
view for FREE TO ANYONE WILLING TO SHOW IT IN ITS ENTIRITY.
Let us keep writing and calling and faxing and e-mailing along with
our prayers.

Make it a hopeful day.
Mary Ann Parker

[Rdtf]

I posted this before somewhere, but This woman, New York Times television reviewer Alessandra Stanley is an ALLY and we NEED to talk to her! Please - if anyone feels they have a plan or feel best qualified - she is the bravest in MSM that I can see right now and WE NEED HER and her support, knowledge and contacts.

[Mary Ann Parker]

Agreed.
Sounds like a job for Aristotle The Hun.
He is working on that Bush is Smarter project.
See what he says.
Thanks.
Make it a great day.
Mary Ann Parker